Sexual dysfunction among hypertensive womenreferred to health centers of Ramsar and Tonekabon (2009)

One of the most important issues in general health, particularly psychological health, is the recognition and investigation of human sexual behavior and tendencies. Sexual dysfunction has negative impact on individual's lives, interpersonal relationships, and quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine sexual dysfunction in Hypertensive women who had referred to the health centers of Ramsar and Tonekabon in 2009. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 187 hypertensive women and the sampling method employed was Convenience sampling. Necessary data was collected by means of data personal identification form, and Female Sexual Function Index questionnaire (FSFI). The obtained data was analyzed using SPSS software, descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson's coefficient correlation. It was found that 36.9%of hypertensive women had undesirable sexual function and 63.1% had moderate sexual dysfunction. Sexual dysfunction had a significant relationship with age (P=0.021), body mass index (P=0.036), menopause (P=0.018), history of hypertension (P=0.014), systolic blood pressure (P=0.040), drug regimens (P=0.004), and taking of diuretics (P=0.014). Regarding the prevalence of sexual dysfunction and its negative effect on conjugal life satisfaction taking measures to diagnose and to cure the problem is suggested as a necessity of psychological health.